Onaway junior Matthew Tollini turned heads at Thirlby Field with his 4.5-second 40-yard speed.

It was football weather in May at the second-annual Lake Michigan Football Report Exposure Camp at Traverse City’s Thirlby Field. Given that the majority of the players participating were from Northern Michigan, they shrugged off the cold and performed well for the college coaches and scouts in attendance.

The camp’s biggest breakthrough was Matthew Tollini. He came in as a 6-0, 170 junior from Onaway, where he was an All-Ski Valley QB. He left the camp his starred and circled in the notebooks of the college coaches, who had requested to see him work out with the defensive backs after he ripped off the quickest 40 of the event, 4.51 seconds. He plays linebacker in the fall, and had nearly 10 tackles a game in 2012. With his size and athleticism looked at home with the switch and the defensive backfield looks like Tollini’s likely college destination.

Danil Young is putting together quite a resume as only a sophomore. Starting in the O-K Red as an underclassman is impressive in itself. Now Young, a 5-10, 168 DB/QB, has backed it up with his post-season play, at two Lake Michigan Football Report events as well as the US Army National Combine. His pro agility time of 4.13 seconds was the second-fastest in TC, quick twitch and loose hips that also showed themselves in drills to turn and cover, as well as change direction and close quickly on the ball. He ran a 4.7 40, which he’ll need to shave down some as Young projects as a cornerback. But as an actual football player, he has the technique for the position and is willing to get his nose dirty as a tackler, which you don’t always see from a young cornerback.

Another West Michigan kid who made the trek North after playing well at the GR even in March was Wyatt Batdorff, a 5-10, 176 defensive back from Forest Hills Northern. He performed across the board with a 4.6 40 (and was fast indoors at our March event), 4.26 pro agility and 10 reps at 185 lbs. He made good reads in coverage. Smart tackler going low efficiently instead of looking for highlight hits (and whiffs). GLIAC target.

While recruiting aficionados will recognize Plainwell for sending linemen to the Big 10 the past two seasons. But the football renaissance there is widespread, and includes talent like  6-0, 170 junior Graham Hubbell, who ran a 4.65 40.

Quarterbacks
No stranger to Thirlby Field, having played there against Traverse City Central and West, Cadillac junior QB Jalen Brooks said it was much more fun out there when you’re not being chased by Nate Pupel or Derrick Diver. Brooks is the top athlete in Northern Michigan, recruited by the MAC and GLIAC for football and GLIAC for basketball (the morning after the combine, he was playing in an AAU hoops tournament in Holland). The bigger schools envision him as a defensive back or possibly receiver. He showed here why he has a chance at quarterback, a 6-3, 190 dual threat. Brooks had maybe two balls get away from him all night, but otherwise was right on which can be hard working with receivers you don’t know. In the testing, Brooks ran the fastest 40 (4.61) and pro agility (4.31) of the QB entries, and the most bench reps (10). He’s an intriguing quarterback prospect given all the natural tools, with polish and college coaching there’s a high ceiling here.

The camp’s top ‘traditional’ QB was Eric Potter, a Holt junior who looked bigger than his listed 6-0, 180. He threw a tight, very catch-able ball. Potter did a good job adjusting to various speeds and routes of receivers on the fly, his passes on the money regardless. He ran 4.9s, and is more smooth and poised in the pocket, escapability rather than explosive runs outside the pocket. Executed whether rolling out left or right.

Chad Samuels is a 6-0, 170 junior QB from Reed City. He was solid at the March combine in Grand Rapids, and even better here. He threw it well on the move.

Elk Rapids’ Adam Trautman looks the part as a 6-3, 175 sophomore (and off the field, with a 3.9 gpa). Apparently those classroom smarts apply to the filed, as last season he threw for 12 TDs to 1 INT, an impressive ratio particularly for an underclassman. The flipside of that is a couple times at camp Trautman aimed his throws instead of letting it flow and rip. His pro agility of 4.4 seconds was strong for a lanky, long-strider. The quarterback class for 2015 is shaping up quite strong in the Lake Michigan area, and Trautman is right in the mix.

Receivers
The fastest receiver in the camp was Antonieo McMillian, a junior slot/returner type from Montrose at 5-8, 135. He ran a 4.53-second 40. In drills he caught the ball away from his body, on a cold night where a number of receivers struggled catching the ball.

Traverse City West freshman Logan Pawloski made a good target at 6-0, 180, and muscled for catches with good hands and timing against quicker defenders.

A small-school underclassman really intrigues. James Connolly was a standout running back last fall as a Brethren sophomore, with 100-yard games both running and catching the ball. He worked out here as a 6-2, 185 receiver.

• Byron Bullough  6-2  195  LB  Traverse City St. Francis  Michigan State
• Tommy Doles  6-5  240  OL  Grand Rapids Christian  Northwestern
• Kenneth Finley  6-3  270  DL  Muskegon  Western Michigan
• Drake Harris  6-4  180  WR  Grand Rapids Christian  Michigan
• Connor Hayes  6-4  280  OL  Traverse City West  Pittsburgh
• Jordan VanDort  6-7  290  ATH  Zeeland West  Western Michigan

Ira Childress, Director of Football Operations for the Lake Michigan Football Report, is interviewed by CBS/9&10 News about the football combine coming to Traverse City on May 10th.

We’re less than a week out from the Lake Michigan Football Exposure Camp! Join us under the lights at Traverse City’s Thirlby Field on Friday, May 10!  Players from the Classes of 2014, 2015, and 2016 are invited to showcase their skills in front of college coaches and top competition. The event is open to players from throughout Michigan and the Midwest.

UPDATE: This event is rain or shine! No rain is scheduled in the evening forecast, so we’re looking forward to a great night!

For complete information on the event, please click here.

From Joe Staley and Jared Veldeer in the pros, to Jake Fisher in college, it’s no secret that the Lake Michigan area produces some of the best line talent in the country. So it’s no surprise that the line drills were a major attraction at the Lake Michigan Football Report’s March 17 combine in Grand Rapids. There, future college talent went head-to-head, with some players justifying their status, others earning theirs.

Muskegon’s Kenneth Finley, a 6-3, 270 junior, came into the Grand Rapids event with a significant reputation, including a Toledo offer, and didn’t disappoint. His throw of 40’3 was the second best mark in the medicine ball, and he put that strength to practical use bull-rushing the opposition in one-on-ones. Finley twice ran 4.8 40s, and if he maintains those wheels while adding the weight needed for his likely D tackle destination, watch out. With an academic tweak, look for the recruitment to really take off for Finley, the top defensive prospect in the Lake Michigan area.

Jacob Howe, a 6-2, 240 junior from Forest Hills Northern, turned in his second strong performance at a Lake event. I one-on-ones he came in fast, low, with myriad free-up moves. He was in attack mode, and understood more than most of the athletes that in this kind of environment you have to be able to turn it on quick, and he had no problem getting from 0-100. You could tell just how desperate the O linemen were against Howe’s inside/outside moves from how ripped-to-nothing his shirt was by the end of the day. He performed well in the testing portion too, running a 4.78 40, jumping 27″ and finishing just outside the top 10 in the medicine ball throw and shuttle. Coaches have thought of Howe as a tweener, but he’s continued to show his potential as a hand-down rusher and would be good in that role at the MAC level.

Another versatile end rusher who helped himself was Mitchell Stanitzek. He’s a 6-4, 215 junior who missed most of the 2012 season with a back injury, but played and made an impact for Grand Rapids West Catholic in the Division 5 state final. He showed just how under the gun, testing as well as anyone all-around with a 4.7-second 40, 4.4-second shuttle and 33″ vertical. He could play tight end as well. While a lot of the local Dutch boys look “country strong,” 6-4, 225 Traverse City St. Francis junior Eric Coggon provided a different look with longer, more defined musculature. Coggon was really slippery getting off blocks. Ivy-type grades just sweeten the deal. Kenowa Hills’ 6-2, 240 two-way lineman Zach Evans was one of the most productive rushers we saw last fall. At the combine he had a 4.88-second 40 and 4.78-second pro agility. Comstock Park had a solid contingent of players at the combine. A pleasant surprise from that group was 6-3, 210 junior Ryan Gruzka, who ran a 4.85 40 and could also play tight end.

Grand Rapids South Christian junior Todd Postma looked like a classic end, bigger than his listed 6-4, 235. He doesn’t have great straight-line speed, but was quick off the line and pretty nimble in small spaces. His South Christian teammate and another starter from the Sailors’ state championship team, Mitchell Quakkelaar, is an imposing sophomore at 6-3, 260.

Muskegon nose guard Jacob Sims is an outstanding player, it’s just hard to project him as a 5-6, 220 junior. Muskegon Orchard View’s 6-1, 285 junior Demere Ramey has intriguing video, but didn’t see him much in one-on-ones. Kalamazoo Loy-Norrix’ 6-0, 250 junior Joe Boggan has some promise as a defensive tackle. He’s quick off the line and has that wrestler’s mentality in the pits. 5-11, 250 East Grand Rapids junior Conor Conaboy doesn’t have ideal size, but is a smart, versatile two-way lineman with the EGR pedigree that goes a long way in recruiting circles. His Pioneers teammate Troy Gotch is a 6-2, 195 junior guard who got by with smarts and technique.

Like Finley only on the offensive side, Malik King came in as a Muskegon kid with a big rep, and the 6-4, 275 junior went out and competed for his good name. A number of D linemen came in pumped and gave King problems at first. But he regrouped and IHOP was open for business, as he started dealing out those pancake blocks. He’s a naturally big mauler who is at least a MAC level guard.

King led a promising contingent of junior interior offensive linemen. 6-5, 265 West Branch Ogemaw Heights junior Alec Stevens is coming off a shoulder injury but didn’t play timidly. He’s raw but trim for his size and athletic, with a 20-point, 20-rebound basketball game to his credit last month. Stevens was top 10 in strength, with a 5.19 40 and 27″ vertical. He was quick and sure to lock up and a good run-blocker. He plays tackle for his high school team, but laying in space is where Stevens needs work. On physical potential he’ll likely be yet another Big North lineman with multiple offers. Also from up North, but a much smaller school in the Ski Valley, was Tristen Fleet. A 6-3, 275 Mancelona junior, Fleet’s a grinder who helps his recruiting chances because he’s an actual center. Another Northerner, Grayling’s 6-4, 270 junior Lucas Walesky, was much improved from his December camp performance. He’s improving athletically and as a player, though he still needs to remember not to duck his head. Walesky unfortunately injured his knee, but not before earning an NAIA offer.

Kirk Hautau is another potential center at 6-2, 280. He’s an all-conference junior from Marshall. Hautau has good feet and technique, and played Kenneth Finley as well as anyone.  Liked how he loaded up and delivered hits. 6-2, 280 South Christian junior Travis Steenwyk didn’t post great measurables. But he knows how to play, has a wide base and worked well off leverage rather than raw strength. Another South Christian kid is 6-2, 220 sophomore Casey Elzinga, a promising young center.

There were a couple O-K Red tackle prospects with potential. East Kentwood junior Elliot Jordan, who could end up at tackle or tight end at 6-7 , 227. He ran a 5.13-second 40 and 4.7-second pro agility. It was great to see how Jordan responded to coaching and got more confident as the day progressed. He went from getting schooled by the top ends, to competing with and even stoning them.  Hudsonville’s 6-6, 280 junior Eric Atkins has the right frame and terrific grades. His center of gravity rides high, but most importantly he just needs to get some nasty going.

Other than going against Kenneth Finley, and there’s no shame in that, Ryan Egan, a 6-5, 265 Montrose junior, acquitted himself well in drills. Connor Smith flashed some potential for Three Rivers’ playoff team last fall, and the junior could play either side of the ball at 6-5, 265.

Two talented young prospects that were profiled on the all-underclassman team, 6-5, 248 Mendon sophomore Logan Slaughter and 6-3, 260 Petoskey freshman Tommy Roush. At this age, it’s hard to project them to offense or defense, but both have nice physical tools. Slaughter already played as hard as anyone at the combine, while Roush is fundamentally sound, quite strong, and didn’t seem to mind taking his lumps, knowing that it served a larger, long-term purpose.

1. Logan Slaughter  6-5  248  So  DL/OL  Mendon
He’s a small town all-stater who would look big time regardless the size of the school he lined up for. Slaughter’s frame is ideal to put on good weight as needed. He tested as one of the strongest players at the combine, then backed it up with execution in drills. Won his matchups thanks to toughness and motor. Business-like, efficient worker given his age.

2. Nolan Meekhof  6-0  200  Fr  RB/LB  Grandville
You don’t necessarily think great running backs and Grandville, that could change with young Meekhof. There’s nothing meek about a freshman this big putting down back-to-back 4.6 40s.

3. LaSavian Majewski  5-7  185  So  RB/WR  Grand Rapids West Catholic
A transfer from Alabama who proved that Southern legs travel. Majewski had the second-fastest 40-yard time. Love his potential in the kick return game. This is a heck of a weapon to add to West Catholic next season, along with essentially an all-state newcomer in Mitchell Stantizek, who was one of the top overall juniors at the combine. Another West Catholic junior who played well was linebacker Max Boorsma, small for college but terrific right now.

4. Tommy Roush  6-3  260  Fr  OL/DL  Petoskey
His technique was sound in footwork drills. It got tougher for Tommy when upperclassman all-staters started beating on him in one-on-ones, but he kept his head in there and competed. Tested very well, and strength is no surprise he was a middle school all-American thrower in AAU track and field. Coaches love recruiting linemen out of the Big North, and in 2016 the league may have two more high-end recruits up front with Roush and Traverse City West’s Thiyo Lukusa.

5. Tucker Kloote  5-10  150  So  QB  Coopersville
West Michigan is crowded with talented, varsity veteran soph QBs. Kloote ended the season with a 200-yard, 2 TD game against Allendale, and the hot hand carried over to the off-season as he made a move to keep himself right in that top 5 for 2015. The coaches liked both his arm and his confidence.

Mason Banbury  6-2  200  So  DL/TE  East Grand Rapids

Jay Brower  6-2  195  So  LB/TE  Stevensville Lakeshore

Devin Butler  6-1  175  So  WR/DB  Zeeland

Ethan  Campbell  5-9  180  So  RB  Traverse City Central

Mitchell Coler  5-9  160  So  RB/DB  Mendon

Nate Couturier  5-10  140  WR/DB  Allendale

David Cutts  5-11  163  So  WR/DB  Grand Rapids Prep

Brandon Davis  5-10  150  So  RB/DB  Holland

Matthew Denby  5-10  148  So  RB/DB  Freeland

Stanley Fink  6-3  237  So  OL/DL  Pewamo-Westphalia

Jakob Frederick  6-1  190  So  LB/QB  Spring Lake

Austin Gregory  6-0  190  So  QB  Ionia

Andrew Homik  5-10  200  So  RB  Grand Rapids Northview

Elijah Klepper  6-2  180  So  RB/LB  Mendon

Chase Lalla  5-10  182  So  LB/RB  Avondale

Jonas LaMont  6-1  170  Fr  LB/TE  Onekama

Adam Maynard  6-2  237  So  DL/OL/TE  West Ottawa

Brett Miller  5-9  170  So  QB  Forest Hills Central

Mitchell Quakkelaar  6-3  260  So  DL/OL  Grand Rapids South Christian

Marcus Ramirez  5-8  145  Fr  RB/DB  Montague

Daniel Shanley  6-1  210  So  LB/RB  Grandville

Kylan Sherman  6-1  265  OL/DL  Fruitport

Logan Soule  6-0  160  So  DB/RB  Caledonia

Jared Whited  6-2  220  So  LB/TE  Vicksburg

Danil Young  5-10  168  So  DB/QB  Grandville

Team selected based on performances in both tests and drills.

DL  Jacob Howe  6-2  240  Jr  Forest Hills Northern

DL  Kenny Finley  6-3  260  Jr  Muskegon

DL  Todd Postma  6-4   235  Jr  Grand Rapids South Christian

DL  Eric Coggon  6-4  225  Jr  Traverse City St. Francis

LB  Mitchell Stanitzek  6-4  215  Jr  Grand Rapids West Catholic

LB Kaleb Hauser  6-1  225  Jr  Kalkaska

LB  Derek Lodholtz  6-3  200  Jr  Reed City

DB  Kyler Shurlow  6-1  195  Jr  Lowell

DB  Zachary Shepard  6-0  172  Jr  Prairie Heights, Ind.

DB  Demetri Trice  5-10  168  Jr  Gladwin

DB  Julian Munday  6-0  190  Jr  Muskegon Reeths-Puffer

UTL  Mason Rosado  5-9  170  Jr  Holland

Team selected based on performances in both tests and drills.

QB  Drew Marion  6-1  196  Jr  Lake City

RB  Zach Stephen  5-10  187  Jr  McBain

RB  Danny Bauder  5-9  180  Jr  Zeeland West

WR  Colin Prominski  6-1  210  Jr  Ionia

WR Camm LaPeen  6-3  180  Jr  Powers Catholic

OL  Tristen Fleet   6-3  275  Jr  Mancelona

OL  Kirk Hautau  6-2  280  Jr  Marshall

OL  Malik King  6-5  275  Jr  Muskegon

OL Alec Stevens  6-5  265  Jr  Ogemaw Heights

OL  Elliot Jordan  6-6  235  Jr  East Kentwood

TE  Mitchell Stanitzek  6-4  215  Jr  Grand Rapids West Catholic

UTL  Javon Cooney  5-8  145  Jr  Lansing Sexton

Team selected based on performances in both tests and drills.

4.32 seconds
Julian Munday  6-0  190  Jr  RB/DB  Muskegon Reeths-Puffer
Danil Young 5-10 168 So DB/QB Grandville

4.35 seconds
Tristan Matthews 5-10 150 Jr RB/DB Grandville

4.39 seconds
Caleb Schley  5-9  170  Jr  RB/DB  Paw Paw

4.4 seconds
Ethan Campbell 5-9 180 So RB Traverse City Central
Javon Cooney 5-8 145 Jr WR/DB Lansing Sexton
John Hall 5-11 170 Jr RB/DB Muskegon
Jurquan Harris-Taylor  5-7  140  Jr  DB/WR  Wyoming
Nate Holt 5-9 155 Jr DB/WR Lake City
Austin Kent  5-11  175  Jr  DB/WR  Holt
Drew Marion  6-1  196  Jr  QB  Lake City
Nick Miller 5-8 160 Jr ATH Gull Lake
Colin Prominski 6-1 210 Jr WR/DB Ionia
Marcus Ramirez  5-8  145  Fr  RB/DB  Montague
Chase Smith 5-9 175 Jr QB/DB Muskegon Reeths-Puffer
Mitch Stantitzek 6-4 215 Jr ATH Grand Rapids West Catholic
Demetri Trice 5-10 168 Jr WR/DB Gladwin
Austin Vandygriff 5-9 148 Jr RB Fruitport
Jacob Wenzlick  Jr  5-11  170  Jr  WR  Sanford Meridian